Reading
Public Museum American Indian Festival 2001

8th
Annual American Indian Festival
July 7 & 8, 2001
10am to 6pm

On July 7 and 8, 2001 the grounds of the
Reading Public Museum will be transformed into the fascinating
world of the Native American Indian - rich in culture, customs
and legends. This elaborate two-day event is very popular and
this year promises many festival favorites from years past plus
a number of newcomers! Admission to the festival is $5 for adults,
$3 for children 4 to 17 and free to members and children under
4. Hours for the American Indian Festival are 10am to 6pm both
days.

One of the most popular attractions to
the American Indian Festival is Javier Alarcon, Aztec Dancer.
Javier performs dances from the ancient Mexican culture, which
remain a part of their religious rituals connecting man with
the universe. As in previous years, Javier will perform the
Sun, Deer, and Fire Dance. The Sun Dance Represented by the
eagle reflects the four cardinal points through the colors of
energy and projects the rainbow. The Deer Dance is a symbolic
dance, representing the human sacrifice and the important role
death plays in rebirth. The Fire Dance is performed to honor
Tonathio (the sun), who creates and transforms but never destroys.

New to the festival this year is a Saturday performance
by Jim Beer & The River Band. Jim and his band are well known in the
Native American community and perform music that "honors the spirit".
Jim, known as Thunder Warrior among his people of the Lenape Turtle Clan,
is an accomplished singer/songwriter whose vision and career began at
the age 15. His roots are in the area of Upper Bucks County, PA where
his family still lives and farms. His love for his homelands, his people
and Mother Earth are expressed vividly in his songs. It is Jim's goal
to spread the message of preservation. In this way he honors his Lenape
Spirit by helping to preserve "The Great Life." Performing Native
American music on Sunday are Spirit Wing, a musical duo that specialized
in Native American music, and Terry Lee & Strongheart.

Also new to the festival this year is an Eastern Woodland
Camp Re-enactment setup by the Smith's Rangers & Doudle's Company.
This group, portraying the Smith Rangers of the French & Indian War
period, is based on a journal written by James Smith, who in 1755 at the
age of 18, was captured and adopted by Indians and taken to the Ohio country.
Smith lived with the Indians for almost 5 years. Soon after he returned
to his home near Fort Loudon, PA, Pontiac declared war on the frontier
and Smith was elected to lead a group of Scouts dressed in Indian fashion
to protect the local inhabitants. In Smith's journal he described many
hunting camps - these descriptions are the basis for this living history
display camp. The camp will include a lean-to, a fire pit, reproductions
of flintlock long guns, bows & arrows, fur hides, small kettles, boilers
and other cooking gear. The group will read short stories and give talks
on the weapons, gear and clothing from the period.
Saturday will feature Earl Schriver, a state and federally
licensed falconer and bird bander. He will bring with him various birds-of-prey
including an eagle, raven, great-horned owl and a falcon. He has lectured
all across Pennsylvania and New York educating school children, sportsmen,
conservationists, and many others on the habits and habitats and ways
of protecting these birds-of-prey.
Saturday and Sunday will be filled with Native American
dancing led by Shoshone Nation's John and Kelly Pingeree. The Master of
Ceremonies this year is Wayne Cave, Arena Director is Terry Lee, Head
Drummer is Red War Pony and Guest Drummer is Eagle Shield.
Each year the goal of the American Indian Festival is
to teach others about the Native American community. This year the festival
continues to educate through its expanded array of children's crafts and
a variety of demonstrations including Tipi, flute making and playing,
bow & arrow, and tomahawk throwing. Other all day activities include
Native American craft vendors, pony rides, Native American foods, and
legend telling.
The Reading Public Museum will also be open for festival
goers to view our extensive Native American Indian gallery. The Planetarium
will be running the Star Show "Spirits from the Sky". Star Planetarium
admission is $1 adults and $.50 children. The Laser Planetarium Shows
will be running Saturday evening at 7pm (Laser Led Zeppelin) and 8:30pm
(Laser Pink Floyd: The Wall). Laser Planetarium Show admission is $6.50
adults/children, $4 members. Also open during the festival is the Butterflies
Alive! exhibit - a live butterfly house right in the Museum's own greenhouse
(admission is $2 adults, $1 children 4-17).